LIFESTYLE

@ Halal | July-August. 2026

Some came with years of experience behind them, while others arrived eager to explore new opportunities that could take their businesses to the next level.

As the presentations unfolded, it became clear that the session was not only about what would happen during MIHAS Modest Fashion Week, but also about the doors it could open for Malaysia ' s creative industry.

Jewellery designer Sarala, founder of Sarala ' s Fashion, attended the briefing to explore opportunities for her niche business. Unlike most participants focused on garments, she creates wearable statement jewellery from original artwork, representing a specialised approach to fashion.

" I wanted to know what opportunities are available for designers like me," she shared. " We ' re not the conventional designers creating clothing, so I was curious to see whether there would be something for businesses in a niche market."

As the programme plans were shared, Sarala ' s curiosity turned to

FROM CURIOSITY TO CONFIDENCE: Designers discovered new opportunities and industry connections.

confidence. The session evolved from a simple information briefing to an introduction to new opportunities. It emphasised business growth, industry connections, and new pathways for expansion beyond fashion shows.

For Sarala, one of the most encouraging moments came when she realised that platforms like MIHAS Modest Fashion Week are not limited to traditional fashion labels. The session showed that the industry has room for different forms of creativity, giving brands with unique identities the chance to stand alongside established names while reaching wider audiences.

Describing the briefing as " a

FOR Masrena Abdullah and her daughter, Mayamin Azlan, fashion represents a shared journey rooted in creativity, craftsmanship, and a commitment to preserving Malaysian batik.

Through their brand, Masterpiece by Masrena Abdullah, they transform traditional batik into contemporary ready-to-wear collections and merchandise, all produced in their Kuala Lumpur studio.

" Our main forte is batik. We are batik producers, batik designer and also fashion designer," shared Masrena, emphasising the brand ' s blend of batik expertise and modern fashion design.

Their passion led them to the MIHAS Modest Fashion Week briefing, where they joined other designers and industry professionals to learn about this year ' s programme. As MyFashionChamber members, they saw the session as an opportufantastic session ", she said the opportunities became far more appealing once they were explained in detail. More importantly, she left with something that cannot be measured by numbers alone – a better understanding of what is available and the confidence to explore opportunities that had previously been outside her radar.

Knowledge was one of her biggest takeaways from the day, but it was closely followed by something just as valuable: awareness. Before attending the briefing, she had not realised that many of these initiatives and opportunities even existed. By the end of the session, she walked away with new information, fresh

� MIHAS Modest Fashion Week briefing revealed new growth and connection opportunities for diverse designers, including niche creators like Sarala.

� The platform supports various creative forms beyond traditional garments, allowing unique brands to reach wider audiences.

� Designers gained valuable knowledge, awareness, and confidence to explore business expansion and international markets

ideas and a clearer picture of how businesses like hers could benefit from participating in a platform that connects creativity with commercial growth.

For independent designers, especially those working outside the conventional fashion space, finding the right platform can often be the biggest challenge. Sarala ' s experience reflects why industry briefings such as these matter.

Sometimes, they do more than introduce an upcoming event. They help designers see possibilities they had never imagined, proving that every creative business, no matter how niche, deserves the opportunity to grow, connect and be seen.

nity to better understand MIHAS and explore how the platform could support their business growth.

The briefing focused on business growth, international exposure, and opportunities for brands seeking to expand. Presentations provided insights on reaching larger markets and outlined available support to help designers prepare for future growth.

The session met Masrena and Mayamin ' s expectations. " We received a lot of information that we need for us to participate in MIHAS," they shared, describing the briefing as informative and well organised.

The session provided a clearer understanding of what to expect and how to maximise the available opportunities.

As manufacturers of their own batik fabrics and fashion collections, the duo aim to build business-tobusiness partnerships, enter new

FROM HERITAGE TO GLOBAL MARKETS: Malaysian batik continues to find new opportunities beyond local borders.

markets, and expand their presence internationally.

Meeting international buyers is one of their primary goals, as they believe this could lead to new collaborations and export opportunities for their batik creations.

For brands rooted in Malaysian heritage, platforms like MIHAS offer more than visibility by connecting culture and commerce and enabling local craftsmanship to reach global buyers. Masrena and Mayamin hope their batik creations and stories will soon reach audiences beyond Malaysia.

By the end of the briefing, they left with renewed confidence, clearer direction, and enthusiasm for new business opportunities and international connections. With plans to expand overseas, Masrena and Mayamin are prepared to showcase Malaysian batik on a larger stage.-